Police take on ‘Cycle for Sam’

Scott Milne

Police officers in the Mearns area are encouraging drivers to be aware of cyclists on the road, with some taking on a charity challenge to do so.

June is historically one of the worst months in the north-east for serious injury collisions with 121 people suffering injuries between 2011 and 2015 that month.

The roads tend to be busier and as such vulnerable road users, such as cyclists, are more at risk to accidents.

Since 2003 the number of pedal cycle casualties has increased 10%.

To help combat this, some police officers in the area are taking part in the ‘Cycle for Sam’ charity event.

Sergeant Claire Davis, North East Division Local policing Team, based at Stonehaven Police Office, said: “We are actively supporting and is an issue particularly close to our hearts in the Kincardine area as it effects a young boy called Sam from the local community who is receiving ongoing treatment for a brain tumour.

“Sam’s uncle Colin is a serving police officer who, along with other colleagues and supporters, undertook to cycle 200 miles from Gretna to Stonehaven on June 25 and 26 to raise funds for the charity.”

Sergeant Malcolm Kinross, North East Divisional Road Policing Unit, spoke about road safety: “We would remind drivers to watch out for pedal cyclists and give them as much room as you would a car when overtaking and only overtake when it is completely safe to do so.

“And cyclists must obey traffic signs, lights and must not cycle on pavements.”